Seating is authentic as well - wood benches with a single candle in a holder at each table.

The service is friendly and within moments, their taking your order for drinks. I always like that they have a nice selection of draft beer on tap; usually a micro-brew or two and my favorite Sam Adam's seasonal beer.

As an appetizer I would recommend to anybody - the Baked King's Onion Soup which is two gills for $5.95. It is simply delectable with chunks of beef inside and a variety of cheeses on top. This alone is worth the trip. Along with my soup, I usually like to get a sandwich and the Char-grilled Steak Sandwich is a winner. It's served open-faced on hearth-baked bread and is covered with sauteed mushrooms and onions that are popping with flavor.

Today, the historic house appears virtually the same as it did over 200 years ago and is the oldest and most historic buildings in Gettysburg. Its native stone walls, seven fireplaces, and hand carved woodwork have been painstakingly restored to their original beauty and character to allow it to function as a truly authentic colonial tavern.

The modern-day Dobbin House serves guests in two separate dining facilities. Downstairs, the Springhouse Tavern serves the more casual guests in an authentic old tavern atmosphere.

Rev. Dobbin became a highly respected community leader, as well as minister and educator.

He worked diligently to establish in 1800 an autonomous Adams County, which originally was a part of neighboring York County. He indeed did leave his mark.

In the mid-1800's, a secret crawl space served as a safe haven for runaway slaves on their perilous journey to freedom. The Dobbin served as a "station" along the "Underground Railroad."

By now it's probably quite obvious how much time I've spent in Gettysburg over the years. I'm not going to bore you with another monotonous story about how much I enjoy American history and the Civil War era. Instead, I'll lull to sleep anyone who'll care to listen about the history behind one of my favorite establishments anywhere - the Dobbin House.

In 1774, 300 acres of land were purchased in and around the town now known as Gettysburg by one Reverend Alexander Dobbin.

Dobbin was born in Ireland in 1742 and emigrated to America with his bride, Isabella Gamble, looking to make his mark in the New World. And that he did.

Besides being one of the founders of Gettysburg, Dobbin was pastor of the Rock Creek Presbyterian Church. He constructed a farm and the Dobbin House, for use as their dwelling and as a Classical School. The school was actually the first of its kind in America west of the Susquehanna River, an academy which enjoyed an excellent reputation for educating many professional men of renown.

In July of 1863, while the nation was embroiled in a bitter struggle which pitted brother against brother, the war had finally touched the residents of the sleepy little town of Gettysburg. For three days, the fate of the nation hung in the balance. It was three days the nation would never forget; three days which bared witness to over 50,000 casualties and left the once peaceful fields littered with the dead and dying of both sides. A northern victory, the Army of Northern Virginia departed.

In the mid-1800's, a secret crawl space served as a safe haven for runaway slaves on their perilous journey to freedom.

And as the town tried to regain some semblance of normality over the coming weeks, the Dobbin House served as a hospital for wounded soldiers of both the North and the South.

Upstairs, the Alexander Dobbin Dining Rooms offers a more formal dining experience, or as they like to term it - Candlelight Fine Dining in the Colonial Manner. Additionally, there's the Abagail Adams Ballroom available for private parties.In this installment, we'll touch upon the Springhouse Tavern.

The entire staff is dressed in period attire and the setting makes you feel like you've stepped 200 years back in time.

The entrance to the Springhouse Tavern is tucked between the main building (on the left) and gift shop (on the right). As you open the door between the think log and stone slab walls, it's immediately apparent it's going to be a journey through history.Entering, you descend a staircase that take you into a dark, candlelit dining area with a large wooden bar. The entire staff is dressed in period attire and the setting makes you feel like you've stepped 200 years back in time.

Another good sandwich choice is the Roast Beef and Swiss Cheese Foccacia Sandwich which comes with choice of potato salad or cole slaw.

For lighter fare, they serve what they term Half of Sallade & Half of Sandwich, as well as Gill of Porridge & Half Sallade. Both are good options at $7.95 each.

If you want a heavier meal, I'd suggest the Spit Roasted Chicken which is a half chicken dinner. It is prepared on a spit with a special blend of slightly spicy seasonings. It is served with a garden salad, baked potato and hearth-baked roll.

The food is excellent, but make no mistake about it, it's the ambiance here which draws the crowds.

Another suggestion is Dobbin's Filet Minon and Crabcake, their version of surf 'n' turf, again served with salad, baked potato and hearth-baked bread. Again, wonderfully prepared.

The Springhouse Tavern also has a nice selection of salads and it the perfect stop for lunch or early dinner. The food is excellent, but make no mistake about it, it's the ambiance here which draws the crowds. There's not many places one can dine with this level of authenticity.

Authenticity aside, I'll continue to make my pilgrimages to the Dobbin House for a single-minded purpose - a cold Sam Adams and that wonderful Baked King's Onion Soup!